Sweep
is an open source editor for digital audio. The project started in 2000, initially based on the waveform
editing widget from Soundtracker. The motivation then was that the task of
editing sound would be made more accessible to average users by mimicking the familiar desktop image
editing interface of the GIMP.
In early 2002 the support of an animation
studio prompted an overhaul of the user interface and the tackling of harder problems related to
application latency. This paper discusses that work, including the motivation for major usability
improvements and new directions, including Sweep's use for live performance.